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**xBhp** · 07-10-2019, 11:03 AM

Re: Need a safe daily commuter

Thread approved.

**Zapps** · 07-10-2019, 11:14 AM

Re: Need a safe daily commuter

If you can Test ride a bike on the targeted road conditions, it'd be better to understand the comfort on such terrain.

For bad roads, get the bike with a soft suspension, usually commuters have that soft suspension thing to them and being lightweight, can be thrown around like crazy. I felt this when upgrading from Honda Shine to Pulsar 220 last year.

I'd recommend Platina & Honda Shine as these offer comfort and are lightweight. I'd also suggest you change the rear tyre to something Knobby like Ceat Gripp XL (used for 7-8 years on Honda Shine) or MRF Meteor or something with similar tread, such tyres offer the right grip for the intended application.

**MotoMan** · 07-10-2019, 11:40 AM

Re: Need a safe daily commuter

If only mileage is concerned then the platina is good. But it's not that good on highways.

The apache 160 4v is very smooth, can cruise at 80-90 kmph easily, has excellent ride quality and can be used for light off roading. It's currently the best in the 160cc segment.

The xpulse 200, well it's a pure on-off roader. It is an almost perfect evolution of the impulse and a lot more VFM. See the video of youtuber strell. He has reviewed the bike and your height 169cm is not a problem at all. It's more suited for daily commute as you can just glide over speed breakers and pot holes. Morover you get FI and it is far better than carburettor.

Do take a TD before deciding.

Motoman

**[email protected]** · 07-10-2019, 06:22 PM

Re: Need a safe daily commuter

Originally posted by PUN_DIT View Post

I am in the market for a commuter/daily drive. I am riding motorcycle since last 20 years and moderately upgraded to CBR 250R (riding at present). Previously I owned a Yamaha Enticer, Bajaj Discover 125 (1st Gen and 3rd Gen) and Honda Activa. Yamaha Enticer was my longest and favourite commuter amongst all. That pepy 125 cc refined motor was a gem in itself. After a while when Yamaha stopped its production the parts availbility became a nightmare. Sold it with a heavy heart. It was pure love upto when it was with me. Both of the Discover was a love-hate relationship. Never liked it much since start. Than the poor build quality and rusting issue got me sell it within 2-3 years of ownership. Since last 3 years, riding CBR 250 R ABS. It was all good upto when my daily commute was on SH. These days I have to go to the rural area, leaving the SH, with bad/no road for 15 km(+15 km on SH). The weight of the bike and bad road makes it tough for daily commute. I am looking for a bike with lightweight, better economy, low saddle height(I am 169 c.m.) and safety in mind. I have few bikes in mind underwritten according to pririty:
# Hero Xpulse 200 FI
# Apache 160 4V
# Platina H-gear (purely on mileage point of view)
Test driven non-ABS RTR 160 and first impression was good but wheel locking was a deterrent. Now ABS+FI version is available, will take a test ride soon. Don't know much about its mileage under 60-80kmph sane riding. Xpulse is not available yet. I am concerned about it's mileage figure too.
Members please suggest! I have no issue with CCs but it should be safer. Does the combi brake system works in panic situation as a safety-net? Please shower me with your advices. Thanks in advance

Bro test drive TVs radeon 110cc perfectly good commuter with excellent bulid quality don't go for hero and Honda radeon is excellent commuter with a mileage of 70

**prajnyan** · 07-12-2019, 03:07 PM

Re: Need a safe daily commuter

Originally posted by PUN_DIT View Post

I am in the market for a commuter/daily drive. I am riding motorcycle since last 20 years and moderately upgraded to CBR 250R (riding at present). Previously I owned a Yamaha Enticer, Bajaj Discover 125 (1st Gen and 3rd Gen) and Honda Activa. Yamaha Enticer was my longest and favourite commuter amongst all. That pepy 125 cc refined motor was a gem in itself. After a while when Yamaha stopped its production the parts availbility became a nightmare. Sold it with a heavy heart. It was pure love upto when it was with me. Both of the Discover was a love-hate relationship. Never liked it much since start. Than the poor build quality and rusting issue got me sell it within 2-3 years of ownership. Since last 3 years, riding CBR 250 R ABS. It was all good upto when my daily commute was on SH. These days I have to go to the rural area, leaving the SH, with bad/no road for 15 km(+15 km on SH). The weight of the bike and bad road makes it tough for daily commute. I am looking for a bike with lightweight, better economy, low saddle height(I am 169 c.m.) and safety in mind. I have few bikes in mind underwritten according to pririty:
# Hero Xpulse 200 FI
# Apache 160 4V
# Platina H-gear (purely on mileage point of view)
Test driven non-ABS RTR 160 and first impression was good but wheel locking was a deterrent. Now ABS+FI version is available, will take a test ride soon. Don't know much about its mileage under 60-80kmph sane riding. Xpulse is not available yet. I am concerned about it's mileage figure too.
Members please suggest! I have no issue with CCs but it should be safer. Does the combi brake system works in panic situation as a safety-net? Please shower me with your advices. Thanks in advance

I would prefer the Xpulse 200 over the Apache. Don't choose Platina. Also look at 150cc commuters like Yamaha SZ or Pulsar 150. They should fit your need perfectly.

**Zapps** · 07-13-2019, 05:33 AM

Re: Need a safe daily commuter

Originally posted by prajnyan View Post

I would prefer the Xpulse 200 over the Apache. Don't choose Platina. Also look at 150cc commuters like Yamaha SZ or Pulsar 150. They should fit your need perfectly.

Since he already has a good tourer bike, he could have use for a soft sprung commuter, ofcoz Xpulse(the off-road one) would be a good choice too given its soft suspension and good power delivery. Another dedicated adventure tourer is RE Himalayan.

**Mithran** · 07-13-2019, 10:36 PM

Re: Need a safe daily commuter

Originally posted by PUN_DIT View Post

# Hero Xpulse 200 FI
# Apache 160 4V
# Platina H-gear (purely on mileage point of view)
Test driven non-ABS RTR 160 and first impression was good but wheel locking was a deterrent. Now ABS+FI version is available, will take a test ride soon. Don't know much about its mileage under 60-80kmph sane riding. Xpulse is not available yet. I am concerned about it's mileage figure too.
Members please suggest! I have no issue with CCs but it should be safer. Does the combi brake system works in panic situation as a safety-net? Please shower me with your advices. Thanks in advance

If it is for your daily commute then check out the Xpulse 200t instead of Xpulse 200 FI. The Xpulse 200t does the job of eliminating the potholes very easily as well as taking care of the comfort. Xpulse 200t looks more slick and more flickable in traffic than the Xpulse 200 FI. If you are going off-road every weekend then choose Xpulse 200 FI.

**EngineAbuser** · 07-14-2019, 11:16 PM

Re: Need a safe daily commuter

Xpulse or Himalayan hands down for offroading.

Himalayan is slightly faster but has a slightly lower mileage.

**PUN_DIT** · 09-21-2019, 11:04 PM

Re: Need a safe daily commuter

Originally posted by prajnyan View Post

I would prefer the Xpulse 200 over the Apache. Don't choose Platina. Also look at 150cc commuters like Yamaha SZ or Pulsar 150. They should fit your need perfectly.

@prajnyan Thank you very much for answering my query. However I don't like Bajaj bikes due to its build quality. I am a keeper and I want to keep my bikes as long as possible. I have test driven Yamaha SZ. It didn't feel safe and good enough for cruising on 70-80 kmph speed. Presently it is fazed-out too. FZ 3.0 looks more practical in new version. Since some days I was following a GS 150R in 2nd hand market. Couldn't decide due to its parts availability issues. This bike looks perfect for my need and liking. My bad luck, Suzuki killed it prematurely. Unicorn is equally good, just lacks that H-gear

(pun-intended), in comparison of GS150R. I don't know why I badly want a GS 150R. What are the chances of Yamaha XSR155R launches in India. It does feel perfect replacement of GS150R for me. Xpulse 200 is still not launched in my city.

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Originally posted by Zapps View Post

If you can Test ride a bike on the targeted road conditions, it'd be better to understand the comfort on such terrain.

For bad roads, get the bike with a soft suspension, usually commuters have that soft suspension thing to them and being lightweight, can be thrown around like crazy. I felt this when upgrading from Honda Shine to Pulsar 220 last year.

I'd recommend Platina & Honda Shine as these offer comfort and are lightweight. I'd also suggest you change the rear tyre to something Knobby like Ceat Gripp XL (used for 7-8 years on Honda Shine) or MRF Meteor or something with similar tread, such tyres offer the right grip for the intended application.

Thanks @Zapps!
"If you can Test ride a bike on the targeted road conditions, it'd be better to understand the comfort on such terrain."

This is not possible as no dealer allow here a test ride more than just a guarded short ride(say 1-2 kms). Will try lending bikes from owner in my locality.

"For bad roads, get the bike with a soft suspension, usually commuters have that soft suspension thing to them and being lightweight, can be thrown around like crazy. I felt this when upgrading from Honda Shine to Pulsar 220 last year."

True. I too feel that a light bike is a boon, specially in bad or rustic road conditions. Yamaha 150s and gixxer fall in kinda lightweight category (138 kgs). I test rode MT, it is a good bike minus comfort(specially pillion comfort) and VFM p.o.v.

"I'd recommend Platina & Honda Shine as these offer comfort and are lightweight. I'd also suggest you change the rear tyre to something Knobby like Ceat Gripp XL (used for 7-8 years on Honda Shine) or MRF Meteor or something with similar tread, such tyres offer the right grip for the intended application."

Which is more preferable between Honda shine and Unicorn ABS!? I am little concern regarding tyre skids. (Had a bad skid on a friend's Shine few days back, riding-gears saved me.) I will keep your suggestions, regarding tyres, in my mind. But, are they not a compromise over road-grip. I have heard knobbly tyres skids lot more than road-tyres.

Will Yamaha India launch XSR155 in near future!!!?

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Originally posted by MotoMan View Post

If only mileage is concerned then the platina is good. But it's not that good on highways.

The apache 160 4v is very smooth, can cruise at 80-90 kmph easily, has excellent ride quality and can be used for light off roading. It's currently the best in the 160cc segment.

The xpulse 200, well it's a pure on-off roader. It is an almost perfect evolution of the impulse and a lot more VFM. See the video of youtuber strell. He has reviewed the bike and your height 169cm is not a problem at all. It's more suited for daily commute as you can just glide over speed breakers and pot holes. Morover you get FI and it is far better than carburettor.

Do take a TD before deciding.

Motoman

"The xpulse 200, well it's a pure on-off roader. It is an almost perfect evolution of the impulse and a lot more VFM. See the video of youtuber strell. He has reviewed the bike and your height 169cm is not a problem at all. It's more suited for daily commute as you can just glide over speed breakers and pot holes. Morover you get FI and it is far better than carburettor.

Do take a TD before deciding."

Thanks @MotoMan! Sadly Xpulse still not launched in my city yet. While 'T' is available. But I want to test ride xpulse, before taking a call. I like the xpulse, specially white in color with FI+ABS. I have seen Strell's review of xpulse. He talked about the narrow seat too in some video.

"If only mileage is concerned then the platina is good. But it's not that good on highways."

I will reserve my thoughts on Platina for the time being.

"The apache 160 4v is very smooth, can cruise at 80-90 kmph easily, has excellent ride quality and can be used for light off roading. It's currently the best in the 160cc segment."

This bike (FI+ABS) is in my priority! If xpulse does not suits me after a test ride, in case than definitely I will go towards RTR 1604V.

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Originally posted by [email protected] View Post

Bro test drive TVs radeon 110cc perfectly good commuter with excellent bulid quality don't go for hero and Honda radeon is excellent commuter with a mileage of 70

[MENTION=101547][email protected][/MENTION] Thanks! Radeon has an excellent build-quality, but I leaned towards 150+ CCs with ABS more, at this moment. I had keep Platina in list just because it has a 5th gear but I realised that lack of power kills your joy of commuting/riding even if it is a daily commute. In between, how safe is a combi-brake-system in comparison of ABS. May you please suggest.

**Zapps** · 09-22-2019, 08:16 PM

Re: Need a safe daily commuter

Xpulse is a good choice, as for unicorn ABS, it's a good worry free bike.

**PUN_DIT** · 09-22-2019, 11:03 PM

Re: Need a safe daily commuter

Originally posted by Zapps View Post

Xpulse is a good choice, as for unicorn ABS, it's a good worry free bike.

Himalayan is a good off-road tourer, no doubt. But it doesn't suit my purpose of a daily commuter on normal roads mixed with some rural muddy trails? How about xpulse as a daily commuter? I am looking forward to it.

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Originally posted by Zapps View Post

Since he already has a good tourer bike, he could have use for a soft sprung commuter, ofcoz Xpulse(the off-road one) would be a good choice too given its soft suspension and good power delivery. Another dedicated adventure tourer is RE Himalayan.

@Zapps Have you rode xpulse. How is the seat for an hour long ride than another hour for return? I have seen in review videos that the seat is narrower. Is there any fix for the seat as the chassis, it seats over, is narrower too. So there is very little chance to modify it.

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

Originally posted by Mithran View Post

If it is for your daily commute then check out the Xpulse 200t instead of Xpulse 200 FI. The Xpulse 200t does the job of eliminating the potholes very easily as well as taking care of the comfort. Xpulse 200t looks more slick and more flickable in traffic than the Xpulse 200 FI. If you are going off-road every weekend then choose Xpulse 200 FI.

@Mithran; I have seen the 200T at showroom, but they are not providing test ride yet. However I could't find anything, in comparison of other 200s/150s cc commuter, which makes it more purposeful. The front and rear forks are equally sprung like xtreme or other bikes. Seats are equal or narrower in width than other bikes too. It is nowhere a looker too! More of all, I have a fear that Hero will stop its production sooner than xpulse 200 in coming future. These are just my personal thoughts and assumptions. I find xtreme 200 a better commuter than 'T'.

**ZOMBIE_DB** · 10-02-2019, 11:54 PM

Re: Need a safe daily commuter

Originally posted by PUN_DIT View Post

Himalayan is a good off-road tourer, no doubt. But it doesn't suit my purpose of a daily commuter on normal roads mixed with some rural muddy trails? How about xpulse as a daily commuter? I am looking forward to it.

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@Zapps Have you rode xpulse. How is the seat for an hour long ride than another hour for return? I have seen in review videos that the seat is narrower. Is there any fix for the seat as the chassis, it seats over, is narrower too. So there is very little chance to modify it.

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@Mithran; I have seen the 200T at showroom, but they are not providing test ride yet. However I could't find anything, in comparison of other 200s/150s cc commuter, which makes it more purposeful. The front and rear forks are equally sprung like xtreme or other bikes. Seats are equal or narrower in width than other bikes too. It is nowhere a looker too! More of all, I have a fear that Hero will stop its production sooner than xpulse 200 in coming future. These are just my personal thoughts and assumptions. I find xtreme 200 a better commuter than 'T'.

I did a TD on an xpulse 200 today. The seat is definitely narrower compared to any of the regular commuters.

**Deathwing** · 10-26-2019, 01:54 PM

Re: Need a safe daily commuter

I'm looking at the xpulse, I ride a CBR 250 which is modded, looking for a cozy little commuter.

**Zapps** · 10-29-2019, 03:30 PM

Re: Need a safe daily commuter

Originally posted by PUN_DIT View Post

@Zapps Have you rode xpulse. How is the seat for an hour long ride than another hour for return? I have seen in review videos that the seat is narrower. Is there any fix for the seat as the chassis, it seats over, is narrower too. So there is very little chance to modify it.

Bro, I haven't ridden Xpulse myself, but a fellow senior rider has. His review was - ita the most comfortable bike in India for off-road usage. You can drive all day and be amazed by the soft suspension. But he mentioned it's not that great for cornering like you would on other 200 cc bikes. But it makes it up by being practical for off road.

My guess is Hero has gone all thoroughbred on this one. So for your usage it's awesome. Test ride it and see fir yourself.

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